By Pat Giblin
Contributing Writer
After a slow start to the 2018-19 season, the St. Bonaventure women’s basketball team has hit its stride over the last two weeks. The Bonnies collected wins over Atlantic 10 foes UMass, Rhode Island and George Mason on its way to its longest winning streak of the season.
For the first time in her career, Mcknenna Maycock was named the Atlantic 10 women’s basketball player of the week. She earned this honor by posting averages of 21.5 points and 6.5 rebounds during wins against Rhode Island and George Mason. On Jan. 30 against Rhode Island, she posted career highs in points with 24 and three-pointers made with 6.
Maycock was excited to receive the prestigious honor for the first time.
“It feels great to be recognized (as A-10 player of the week) as a senior because this is my last season and last chance to leave it all on the table,” said Maycock. “I’m happy the team and I are performing well towards the end of the season.”
Maycock, who has developed as a three-point shooting threat over the last 4 years, has gained confidence from her teammates and coaches to take more shots.
“We don’t care if she goes 0 for 12,” said head coach Jesse Flemming. “Everybody on this team wants her to take those shots, and I think she’s finally bought into that.”
In her freshman year she shot just one three-point field goal and did not make it. Now in her senior season, she has taken 105 threes, making 35. Those 35 makes include an impressive stretch over the last several games, with Maycock shooting 52 percent from behind the arch making 11 of 21 shots.
Mckenna’s recent success on the court has been key for the Bonnies as they have begun to play their best team basketball of the year.
“I would say our cohesion has been the strongest ever,” said Maycock. “We are finally clicking and everyone is sharing the ball so well and finding the open player. Because of this, I would say everyone is really confident.”
In order to keep the success going, Maycock believes, “the team has to continue to keep working hard in practice and focusing on our preparation for the games. When we practice and prepare well, it shows in the game. If we continue to do that, we’ll keep our confidence going into postseason play.”
Maycock, being the team’s only senior, has been motivated to lead this young Bonnies team by example on and off the court. She will look to lead the Bonnies into a strong second half of conference play by passing on the experiences she has collected throughout her career to her teammates.
“Being the only senior, I have been able to impact the younger players on the team by guiding them with experience and things I have learned from the last three years,” said Maycock. “I also try to be someone they can look to for advice always, and hopefully someone who instills confidence in them.”
The St. Bonaventure women’s basketball team will be back in action this Saturday when they head to North Carolina to face the Davidson Wildcats.
giblinpt18@bonaventure.edu
